Game Engine Development
Custom 3D game engine built from scratch with modern rendering techniques.
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Second-year Computer Science graduate student at USC, passionate about game development.
Games
Lucky Duckies
Gameplay Developer
A 3D co-op multiplayer puzzle adventure where parent ducks work together to save their ducklings.
Team Size: 40 members, 12 engineers
Engine: Unreal Engine 5 (C++)
Status: In development — USC Games Expo 2026 + Steam
What I worked on:
- Implemented core multiplayer gameplay systems in C++
- Built player interaction and puzzle mechanics
- Collaborated with 12-person engineering team on AGP pipeline
Cemented Dreams
Gameplay Developer
A narrative-driven puzzle platformer exploring themes of urbanization and lost dreams.
Team Size: USC MFA collaboration
Engine: Unreal Engine 5, C++, Blueprints
Timeline: Jan 2024 – May 2025 (16 months)
What I worked on:
- Implemented core mechanics and puzzle systems
- Built level scripting with Blueprints + C++
- Niagara VFX integration for atmospheric effects
DeathSilence
Solo Developer
An intense third-person zombie survival shooter built in Unreal Engine 5 with modular weapon and AI systems.
Engine: Unreal Engine 5, C++ + Blueprints
Timeline: May 2025 – Aug 2025
Type: Solo personal project
What I built:
- Weapon system with AnimMontage, Two-Bone IK, fire modes
- Zombie AI via Behavior Tree + NavMesh
- Pick-up & inventory system with Skeletal Mesh swapping
Tech
About
I'm Mingzhe Shi, a second-year Computer Science graduate student at USC with a passion for game development.
Currently working on bringing two games to Steam in May 2025.
Contact
Email: mingzhes@usc.edu
GitHub: zhezhe23333
Instagram: @zhezhe_oo
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Lucky Duckies
About the Project
Genre: 3D Co-op Multiplayer Puzzle Adventure
Role: Engineer (Team: 40 members, 12 engineers)
Platform: Unreal Engine 5 (C++)
Status: USC Advanced Game Project (AGP) in development for USC Games Expo 2026 and Steam release (May 2026).
Screenshots
Trailer
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Cemented Dreams
About the Game
Cemented Dreams is a narrative-driven puzzle platformer that explores themes of urbanization and lost dreams through the eyes of a character trapped in an ever-expanding concrete jungle.
Key Features
- Unique cement-based puzzle mechanics
- Atmospheric storytelling through environmental design
- Hand-crafted levels with multiple solutions
- Original soundtrack that evolves with gameplay
My Role
Gameplay Programmer - Implemented core mechanics, puzzle systems, and level scripting.
Tech Stack
Unreal Engine 5, C++, Blueprints, Niagara VFX
Development Timeline
January 2024 - May 2025 (16 months)
Screenshots
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DeathSilence
DeathSilence is an intense third-person zombie survival shooter built in Unreal Engine 5, featuring immersive combat mechanics, dynamic zombie AI systems, and an atmospheric post-apocalyptic environment.
Final Demo
Screenshots
Systems
Weapon System & Animation
- Equip/unequip with AnimMontage + State Machine
- Two-Bone IK for precise aiming
- Shooting with line trace + Physical Material
- Fire modes (semi/full auto) and reload system
Pick Up & Inventory System
- UI highlight + overlap detection for pickup
- Inventory switching for primary/secondary weapons
- Outfit customization via Skeletal Mesh swapping
Shooting Blueprint Logic
Enemy AI System
- Idle roaming via Zombie_AC + NavMesh
- Detection & chasing with Behavior Tree + Blackboard
- State sync between Zombie_BP, Zombie_AC, Zombie_BT
- Combat feedback with Hit Montage and HP system
Zombie Behavior Tree
Tech Stack
Unreal Engine 5 • C++ • Blueprints • Behavior Trees • Animation Blueprints • Two-Bone IK • NavMesh • Physical Materials
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[C++] Prime Engine
Course: CSCI 522 Game Engine Development
Professor: Artem Kovalovs, Principal Graphics & Game Programmer at Naughty Dog
Codebase: C++, Lua, Python (USC-owned Prime Engine)
Final Demo
Engine Screenshots
Key Features
- Enhanced Waypoint Navigation
- Adaptive Character Behaviors
- Implemented AABB bounding volumes for meshes
- Integrated camera frustum checking
- Updated physics simulations including collision effects and raycasting
Tasks
Task 1: Character Behavior Modification
- Added multi-waypoint support and randomized movement for Soldier #1
- Designed a new object, Target, for Soldier #2 to aim and shoot at
- Repurposed soldier object as target with custom parameters
Task 2: Bounding Volumes and Frustum Plane Equations
- Developed Axis Aligned Bounding Box (AABB) around meshes
- Created camera frustum plane equations based on field of view
- Used bounding volumes for camera view frustum checks to optimize render performance
Milestones
Milestone 1: UI System
- Implemented a start menu that renders on screen
- Built communication between UI and level, allowing level selection from the menu
- Connected UI with character controller so the player can switch perspectives (e.g., first-person / third-person)
Milestone 2: Nav Mesh
- Parsed the map and generated a navigation mesh from triangular geometry
- Implemented an A* pathfinding algorithm on top of the nav mesh
- Applied the system to AI soldiers, enabling them to detect and chase the player while avoiding obstacles
Tech Stack
C++17 • Lua • Python • Prime Engine • AABB Collision Detection • Frustum Culling • A* Pathfinding • Nav Mesh Generation
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Artsy Android App
An Android mobile application that allows users to search for artists and explore detailed information about their artworks. Users can register, log in, and save their favorite artists for quick access.
Platform: Android Studio, Pixel 8 Pro Emulator (API 34)
Architecture: MVVM with Jetpack Compose
API Integration: Artsy API + Node.js Backend
App Demo
App Screens
Key Features
- Dynamic Search: Real-time artist search with auto-complete (3+ characters)
- Artist Details: Comprehensive information including biography, nationality, and timeline
- Artwork Gallery: Browse artist's works with category information
- Similar Artists: Discover related artists based on style and genre
- User Authentication: Register and login with persistent sessions using cookies
- Favorites System: Save and manage favorite artists with MongoDB Atlas backend
- Material Design 3: Modern UI following Google's design guidelines
Technical Implementation
Frontend Architecture
- Jetpack Compose: Modern declarative UI toolkit for building native Android interfaces
- MVVM Pattern: Separation of concerns with ViewModel and UI state management
- Navigation: Compose Navigation for seamless screen transitions
- Lifecycle Management: Proper handling of Android lifecycle with Kotlin Coroutines
API & Networking
- Retrofit: Type-safe HTTP client for API calls to Node.js backend
- OkHttp: HTTP client with cookie management for session persistence
- Kotlin Serialization: JSON parsing and data serialization
- Coil: Asynchronous image loading with caching support
Data Persistence
- PersistentCookieJar: Session cookie storage using SharedPreferences
- MongoDB Atlas: Cloud database for user favorites and authentication
- Local State Management: In-memory caching for optimal performance
App Screens
1. Home Screen
- Display current date and favorites section
- Search icon for artist lookup
- User avatar with dropdown menu (logout, delete account)
- Dynamic favorites list with artist cards
2. Search Result Screen
- Real-time search with LazyColumn scrolling
- Artist cards with images loaded via Coil
- Click to navigate to detailed information
3. Artist Details Screen
- Details Tab: Biography, nationality, birth/death dates
- Artworks Tab: Gallery with category dialog and carousel
- Similar Tab: Related artists discovery (login required)
- Favorite toggle with Snackbar feedback
4. Login & Register Screens
- Input validation with error messaging
- Password hiding with PasswordVisualTransformation
- Loading indicators during authentication
- Session persistence with cookie storage
Challenges & Solutions
- Session Management: Implemented custom PersistentCookieJar to maintain login state across app restarts
- Asynchronous Loading: Used Kotlin Coroutines to prevent UI blocking during API calls
- Image Performance: Leveraged Coil's caching mechanisms for smooth scrolling in lists
- State Management: Proper handling of loading, success, and error states across all screens
Tech Stack
Kotlin • Jetpack Compose • Android Studio • Retrofit • OkHttp • Coil • Material Design 3 • Kotlin Coroutines • PersistentCookieJar • SharedPreferences • MongoDB Atlas • Node.js Backend • Artsy API